Cursor freezes intermittently...

Same thing here- mouse cursor is stalling- very annoying.

I went back to the original factory image which I made before I booted for the first time- target mode thank you. The problem is still evident so I know it isn't anything I installed. The only thing I did to the factory setup was make a username and installed the latest software updates from Apple. The cursor / trackpad stalling began right away - pretty much after first boot up; still happening.

I haven't tried running without a battery and didn't reset SMC. I really wanted to take this to work tomorrow but I'm afraid out the window it will go- I'm going to wait another few days- see if its a firmware thing or that battery theory might be worth a try- just to see.

Good luck all- nice rig tho- but can't deal with this.

my issue is also much worse in ms word which makes me think maybe it really is a software thing and not hardware. I'm sure an update will be along eventually.

Just tried the remove the battery trick- no difference. Cursor still stalls- it's about a 3-4 second delay. What a shame.

I'm still going to wait a few more days- I got my white Macbook that I haven't eBayed yet- so it can wait.

Be well everybody-

annnnd... resetting SMC didn't resolve the problem either.

Time for bed.

Shower,

It'll get resolved- remember the initial overheating problems and battery issues when the first batch of CoreDuos came out- I was in the "my battery won't hold a charge" camp for a while not to mention the "my macbook has dark stains on it" camp... My issues got resolved and so won't this Today- everybody is pushing the envelope- We're in better hands with Apple than the dime-a-dozen "manufacturers" . Just be patient- and carry that mouse in the meantime- you'll still get your work done.

Oh- and I'm sure you figured it out all ready- in the future- make sure you're "moved in" and working before you get rid of old trusty. I usually wait about a month. also- Migration assistant works great but there are some things that don't always make the trip; serial numbers, activation codes, certain prefs, etc.- so that's another reason to delay selling the old machine.

At any rate- it'll all work out. The best thing about these discussion forums is at least you know you're not the only one- and- it puts a little pressure on Apple to take care of the problems.

Good luck- and don't forget your mouse... i hope it's wireless at least. 🙂

I think I can lend a helpful observation here. I was noticing the same trackpad issue with the cursor sometimes "sticking" until i took my hand of the trackpad and put it back on again. After experimenting I realized this has something to do with the algorithm for calculating touches based on a buttonless trackpad. After i realized this, I started making sure i always keep my thumb within the area where the old button used to be and, presto, no more freezing cursors.

You can reproduce the freezing cursor by doing the following: Rest your thumb in the center of the trackpad first, well above where the old button used to be. Then put your index finger down and try to move the cursor using your index finger. Notice how the cursor is frozen.

Next, take your hand off the trackpad and try putting your thumb over where the old button used to be. Then put your index finger on the trackpad. Notice how the cursor moves freely.

So the problems people are seeing i think are due to the software algorithm used to control the trackpad. Now that I know this, I'm always careful to either move the cursor without placing my thumb on the trackpad OR make sure i always keep my thumb in the area where the button used to be. Now I no longer have stuck cursors and life is good once again. Just takes a bit of getting used to.

Let me know if this advice worked for you. - mike

It's been a while since I experienced the cursor freezing on my MBP. It got better when I switched to Faster Graphics (Higher Performance) in the Energy Saver preferences panel.

But I just realized that when I noticed the problem, was the first couple of days I had my MBP. Time Machine was backing up wirelessly to Time Capsule for a couple of days (had about 240 GB to do the initial backup), once that initial backup was complete, the freezing cursor went away.

I've since returned to slower graphics in the Energy Saver preferences panel and noticed the cursor freeze a couple of times since. Both times Time Machine was backing up, and the cursor freeze went away when it was done...

Mike- I think you're on to something here. Here's what I did- I turned on tapping in the trackpad prefs. This essentially took my thumb out of the picture most of the time. I was noticing that the problem virtually "went away". After reading your post- I understand why. The good news is that this can be resolved with a firmware update. In the meantime- I'll take note of you're observation. I'm not however- going to constantly thumb my trackpad- tapping seems to work as well.

Thanks again for posting your "solution"- be well.

so after struggling with the cursor freezing problem for a few days I took the MBP into the genius bar and they did a swap for a brand new machine. Still the exact same problem...either all of these machines are faulty or its simply a software bug that will hopefully be attacked sooner rather than later. The key is for everyone who is complaining to register their complaint with Apple Care so that they start to see a pattern emerge. I'm surprised that there are not more people here given the nature of the problem, but hopefully word will get out.

Go to: http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookpro.html and let apple know the problem.

I know its easy for these boards to become an echo chamber for a small group of people with problems, but I think this is a case where the problem is more widespread...I was able to recreate the bug on ALL of the demo machines in the apple store, and friends of mine who bought machines this week all have the same issue. The chorus will grow louder, so help it along be sure to post your problem on their feed back page here: http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookpro.html

I'm just holding out hope for a quick update...and using my older MBP until that happens.

mikesmccue wrote:

You can reproduce the freezing cursor by doing the following: Rest your thumb in the center of the trackpad first, well above where the old button used to be. Then put your index finger down and try to move the cursor using your index finger. Notice how the cursor is frozen.

Next, take your hand off the trackpad and try putting your thumb over where the old button used to be. Then put your index finger on the trackpad. Notice how the cursor moves freely.

This was most helpful. I recall a very similar problem a couple of years ago with the trackpad, I think it was the early G4 PowerBooks. Seems like it took them a year to fix the problem. Annoying. I sent in my feedback.

Brand new MBP here as well. In fact, it is my first macbook pro. What I have found is that after I have typed a bit, when I go to move the pointer with the trackpad, the pointer is frozen for several seconds. When I connect up an external USB mouse, this problem goes away.

My guess is this means that this is a software/driver issue with the new trackpad. I have taken this up with Apple and they said they would sort me out a new one (as this is within the first ten days), but they were supposed to call me back yesterday and didn't.

So, I'm not off to a very good start with my first Apple laptop! Is this bad luck or what?!!?